Device for generating a rocking movement in supports for babies

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for generating a rocking movement on supports ( 2 ) for babies, comprising a frame ( 11 ) arranged on a base ( 10 ), with a support arm ( 12 ), as well as a traction mechanism ( 13 ) which is configured for the suspension of the support ( 2 ). The device is characterized in that a drive element ( 14 ) is provided to induce an oscillation or an oscillation pulse, wherein a device ( 15 ) is provided that oscillates the traction mechanism ( 13 ) up and down on the drive element ( 14 ), which is configured such that the support ( 2 ) transitions into a continuous or intermittent rocking movement by the introduction of the oscillation or of the oscillation pulse . . .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for generating a rockingmovement in supports for babies.

BACKGROUND

Baby swings or baby rockers which can be manually pushed to generate aswinging motion are known from the state of the art. Through theintroduction of a manual oscillation or a manual oscillation pulse onthese baby swings or baby rockers, the provided support transitions intoa rocking motion and oscillates back and forth or up and down.

Furthermore, baby rockers are known from the prior art which consist ofa support which is designed for the placement, for example, of babycarriages, baby beds or the like on the baby rocker and are providedwith an oscillation mechanism which rocks the furniture back and forth.

The disadvantage of these baby rockers consists primarily in that theyare impractical to handle. Moreover, these baby rockers are technicallycomplicated and are associated with high purchase costs.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to create a device for theautomated generation of a rocking movement in supports for babies whichovercomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

The device for generating a rocking movement in supports for babiescomprises a frame arranged on a base with a support arm, as well as atraction mechanism which is configured for the suspension the support.All of the following devices, which are usually provided for continuousaccommodation, are intended as supports for babies, such as, forexample, baby carriers, baby beds, baby carriages, etc., or which aresuitable for supporting such accommodations.

A device of the type mentioned in the introduction is characterized inthat a drive element is provided for bringing about an oscillation or anoscillation pulse, wherein a device oscillating the traction mechanismup and down on the drive element is configured so that the supporttransitions into a continuous or intermittent rocking movement by theintroduction of the oscillation or the oscillation pulse.

The drive element is preferably an electric motor or a hydraulically orpneumatically operated motor or a motor driven by a spring mechanism ora magnetic drive. In addition, all further, conceivable drives, whichare suitable for initiating or maintaining an oscillation or anoscillating pulse, are, of course, also contemplated.

The traction mechanism is usually designed as a rope, chain, textileband or textile round sling, whereby the present invention relates toall types and embodiments of traction mechanisms.

The traction mechanism is arranged between the drive element and thepulled support. The drive element therefore forms the pulling device,the support correspondingly forms the pulled object. The device providedon the drive element according to the invention and which oscillates thetraction mechanism up and down for the introduction of the oscillationor oscillation impulse on the support in a continuous or intermittentrocking movement is thereby either part of the drive element itself oris arranged as an independent component on the drive element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features, advantages and possible applications of thedevice will become apparent from the following description of anexemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows

FIG. 1—a perspective view of a device for the automated generation of arocking movement in supports for babies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the device 1 for generating a rocking movement insupports 2 for babies comprises a frame 11 arranged on a base 10, with asupport arm 12 as well as a traction mechanism 13, which is configuredfor the suspension of the support 2. The base is preferably configuredas a hollow body, which receives the drive element 14. The tractionmechanism 13, which is connected to the up and down oscillating device15, is guided via deflecting devices 16 (preferably deflecting rollers)for the suspension 17 of the support 2 in this advantageous embodimentof the invention.

The support 2 transitions into a continuous or intermittent rockingmovement by switching on the drive element 14 and initiating theoscillation or the oscillation pulse by the device 15. In order to avoidan abrupt start-up of the rocking movement, an elastic suspensionelement 18 is advantageously provided, which may be a spring. Inaddition, however, an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement can alsobe avoided by the design of an elastic or springing traction mechanism.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the support 2 consists of abasket-like container 2 for babies.

In the present embodiment, the device 15 consists of a rod-shapedpulling element 15 which is arranged on the rotating drive element 14and which alternately releases the traction mechanism 13 upwards andpulls it downwards again by rotation, partial rotation or by an up anddown oscillating motion.

A controller 19 of the device is preferably provided on the base.

The oscillation speed/frequency of the drive element 14 is adjusted bythe switch 19 a.

The start-up speed of the drive element 14 is regulated by the switch 19b.

The oscillation amplitude is adjusted by the switch 19 c. For thispurpose, a further motorized drive element 30 is preferably provided, bymeans of which the alignment of the device 15 and/or of the driveelement 14 can be adjusted. In this case, both a change in the angularorientation or a change in distances or longitudinal orientations ispossible with the device 15 or the drive element 14, which causes theoscillation amplitude to change on the traction mechanism 13 andconsequently on the support 2.

The spring arranged on the traction mechanism 13 or between the tractionmechanism and the support 2 can be exchanged and configured fordifferent weights.

Preferably, at least one acoustic recording and/or output element 20(for example, an MP3 player with at least one loudspeaker andmicrophone) is provided above the support 2. This makes it possible, forexample, to record and play back cradle songs. A USB/SD card connectionmay also be provided for this purpose as needed. A video camera isprovided in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, by means ofwhich the baby can also be observed from a distance (for example, on asmart phone or a tablet device). In addition to the sound output vialoudspeakers, communication with the baby can also take place. For thispurpose, a transmitting and receiving device in the form of a WLAN,Bluetooth or another wireless radio network is preferably provided onthe device 1.

In a further advantageous embodiment, sensors are provided whichdetermine certain movements, states or noises (expressions) of the babyand automatically initiate pre-programmed actions. Such actions can bethe acoustic playback of songs, the initiation of a rocking movement oran alarm, which is carried out, for example, by means of a smart phone.The functions can be switched on and off.

In addition, it is conceivable to provide solar cells on the device forobtaining energy for the drive as well as the supply of said devices inorder to be able to also use the device independently as well asoutdoors.

For this purpose, it may also be advantageous to equip the device with abattery (preferably with a rechargeable battery).

The device according to the invention is not restricted in itsembodiment to the preferred embodiments specified above. Rather, aplurality of design variations are conceivable which make use of theillustrated solution even in a fundamentally different design.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Device-   2 Support-   10 Base-   11 Frame-   12 Support arm-   13 Traction mechanism-   14 Driving element 14-   15 up and down oscillating device-   16 Deflection devices-   17 Suspension-   18 Elastic suspension element-   19 Control-   19 a, 19 b, 19 c Switches-   20 Recording/Output element-   30 additional motor drive elements

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A device for generating a rocking movement in asupport for a baby, comprising: a frame arranged on a base; a supportingarm connected to the frame; a traction mechanism extending along theframe and the supporting arm, the traction mechanism having a first endfrom which the support is suspended; a drive element; and an oscillatingdevice connecting the drive element to a second end of the tractionmechanism, wherein the oscillating device causes an upward and downwardmovement of the second end of the traction mechanism which causes acontinuous or intermittent rocking movement of the support.
 17. Thedevice as in claim 16, wherein the drive element is an electric motor ora hydraulically or pneumatically operated motor or a motor driven by aspring mechanism or a magnetic drive.
 18. The device as in claim 16,wherein the drive element is arranged within the base.
 19. The device asin claim 16, wherein an elastic suspension element is provided foravoiding an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement.
 20. The device asin claim 16, wherein the traction mechanism is elastic or springy,thereby avoiding an abrupt start-up of the rocking movement.
 21. Thedevice as in claim 16, wherein the oscillating device comprises arod-shaped pulling element which is connected to a rotating portion ofthe drive element and which alternately releases the traction mechanismupwards and pulls the traction mechanism downwards.
 22. The device as inclaim 16, wherein an oscillation speed and/or frequency of the driveelement is adjustable.
 23. The device as in claim 16, wherein a start-upspeed of the drive element can be regulated.
 24. The device as in claim16, wherein an oscillation amplitude of the upward and downward movementof the second end of the traction mechanism is adjustable.
 25. Thedevice as in claim 24, further comprising a second motorized driveelement which adjusts an alignment of the oscillating device and/or thedrive element.
 26. The device as in claim 16, further comprising atleast one acoustic recording and/or output element.
 27. The device as inclaim 16, further comprising a transmitting and receiving device capableof communicating on a WLAN, Bluetooth or other wireless radio network.28. The device as in claim 16, further comprising one or more sensorswhich determine movements, states, or noises of a baby and automaticallyinitiate pre-programmed actions via a control.
 29. The device as inclaim 16, further comprising solar cells for obtaining energy for thedrive element.
 30. The device as in claim 16, further comprising abattery.